special with him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "special with him" is not standard in written English and may be unclear in meaning.
It could be used in informal contexts to imply a unique or significant relationship with someone, but it lacks clarity. Example: "I feel like there's something special with him that I can't quite explain."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And the audience, as well as the industry more widely, understood that when John Galliano left the building this week, he took something special with him.

Independent

At the preschool, "they said it is something special with him and we don't want him here, and as a mom I got very defensive and frustrated and angry, but they were right," said Mrs. Holmstrom, 42.

The New York Times

We are not going to mark time or do anything special with him," he said.

BBC

SM: We did a TV special with him, and he danced to "The Look Of Love".

Huffington Post

"I did this special with him and we are traveling and I had a cold sore on my lip and I heard him say to Bryant Gumbel, 'She has this really ugly cold sore on her lip,' like that was something to be ashamed of.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The station did a few very special things with him as his stardom grew, from hosting an album playback of Graduation to a special show with him at Abbey Road studios.

The Guardian - Music

We had some special times with him".

The Guardian - Sport

I was pleased to share this special moment with him.

The New York Times - Arts

Assistant principal Dr Hall has built a special relationship with him but can she keep him on the path to graduation?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Two other patients, also confirmed to be infected with the swine flu virus, shared a special room with him, cut off from the general population.

The New York Times

The chancellor is expected to take special advisers with him into No 10 but the traditional demarcation lines separating them from career civil servants will return.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "special with him" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically correct and widely accepted alternatives such as "a special relationship with him" or "something special about him".

Common error

A common mistake is using the preposition "with" to describe inherent qualities or relationships. Instead of saying "special with him", use phrases like "special about him" or "a special connection with him" to properly convey the intended meaning and ensure grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "special with him" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modified by a prepositional phrase, attempting to describe a unique quality or relationship. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this construction is not standard and often lacks clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "special with him" aims to express a unique connection or attribute, it is grammatically unconventional and not widely accepted. As Ludwig AI indicates, the expression is not standard English. More appropriate alternatives, such as "a special relationship with him" or "something special about him", should be favored in formal writing to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. Although found in some news and media sources, the phrase is rare and best avoided for professional or academic use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a special connection with him

Emphasizes the bond or relationship shared, highlighting a unique emotional or personal link.

a special relationship with him

Focuses on the specific nature and characteristics of the relationship, implying it is unique or important.

something special about him

Indicates an inherent quality or characteristic that makes the person unique or remarkable.

a special talent he possesses

Highlights a particular skill or ability that distinguishes him from others.

a gift he has

Suggests a natural ability or aptitude that is exceptional or noteworthy.

uniquely gifted individual

Emphasizes the person's exceptional talents or qualities in a formal way.

remarkable qualities he shows

Focuses on the outstanding characteristics that define his personality or abilities.

he is exceptional

A direct statement of his outstanding nature, emphasizing that he is beyond ordinary.

he possesses a unique charm

Highlights a distinctive and attractive quality that sets him apart.

extraordinary abilities he demonstrates

Stresses the high level of skill and capability he exhibits.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "special with him"?

Instead of "special with him", consider using phrases like "special about him" or "special relationship with him" for improved clarity and correctness.

How can I properly use "special" to describe a relationship?

To describe a unique bond, use phrases like "a "special bond with him"" or "a "special connection with him"". Avoid using "special with" in this context.

Is "special with him" considered grammatically correct in English?

No, "special with him" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Opt for alternatives like "something special about him" or "special relationship with him".

When is it appropriate to use "special" to describe a person?

Use "special" with prepositions like "about" or in phrases like "special talent" to describe a person's unique qualities or abilities.